First CMA Awards performers revealed: Tim McGraw, Ella Langley, more

The Country Music Association has announced the first round of performers for the 60th Annual CMA Awards.

Ella Langley, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Cody Johnson, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top and Tucker Wetmore will take the stage on Nov. 18.

A special tribute to the late Dolly Parton is also planned.

Lainey Wilson returns as host for the third consecutive year.

The awards show airs live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.

Ella Langley leads this year’s nominees with nine nominations, including Entertainer of the Year.

She took home three CMA Awards in 2025.

Miranda Lambert earns seven nominations this year, including two for Single of the Year and her 19th nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year.

With 70 career nominations, Lambert holds the record for the most CMA Awards nominations by a female artist.

Tim McGraw was recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

He has 40 career CMA nominations and is nominated this year for Musical Event of the Year.

Kacey Musgraves earns five nominations, including Album, Song and Female Vocalist of the Year.

Cody Johnson, the reigning Male Vocalist of the Year, is up for four awards, including Entertainer of the Year.

The Red Clay Strays are the reigning Vocal Group of the Year and are nominated again in the same category.

Zach Top, the reigning New Artist of the Year, has two nominations this year.

Tucker Wetmore is contending for New Artist of the Year.

On the same day nominations were announced, Taylor Swift revealed she would attend the CMA Awards for the first time in 10 years.

Swift is nominated for Single of the Year for her hit “I Knew It, I Knew You.”

“LOOKS LIKE I HAVEN’T YEE’D MY LAST HAW THANK YOU CMA!!!! See you there Nov. 18,” Swift wrote on her Instagram Stories.

Ben West, Langley’s co-producer, has five nominations.

Chris Stapleton and Stephen Wilson Jr. each have four nominations.

Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs and Dave Clauss each have three nominations.

The 60th Annual CMA Awards will be held Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 8:00 to 11:00 PM ET.

Robert Deaton returns as executive producer, Alan Carter as director and Jon Macks as head writer.

Limited tickets remain available at CMAawards.com/tickets.

The ceremony marks six decades of what the CMA calls “Country Music’s Biggest Night.”

More performers are expected to be announced in the coming days.

The Dolly Parton tribute has not yet been detailed.

Parton, a Country Music Hall of Fame member, died earlier this year.

She was one of the most awarded and celebrated artists in CMA history.

The question now is whether any additional surprise guests will join the lineup.

Swift’s attendance alone has already generated significant buzz.

Her last CMA appearance was in 2016.

With Langley, Lambert and Musgraves all nominated in top categories, the competition for Female Vocalist of the Year is especially tight.

Langley’s nine nominations tie her for one of the most nominated female artists in a single year.

Lambert’s 70 career nominations are the most ever for a woman in CMA history.